Dawn Staley’s South Carolina beats LSU again, returns to SEC title game
South Carolina beat LSU 83-77 on Saturday in Greenville, South Carolina, powered by a second-half offensive surge and a career-high 22 points from Raven Johnson. Saturday at 6: 00 p. m. ET, dawn staley’s team secured its 19th straight win over the Tigers and moved one step from another SEC Tournament championship.
Raven Johnson’s career-high 22 lifts South Carolina past LSU, 83-77
Raven Johnson delivered the biggest scoring night of her career, finishing with 22 points as No. 3 South Carolina held off No. 6 LSU, 83-77, in an SEC Tournament semifinal. The win extended a striking streak in the rivalry: it was South Carolina’s 19th straight victory over LSU.
South Carolina’s offense came in waves after halftime, with the game turning on a flurry of second-half scoring that put the Gamecocks in position to close. The result sends South Carolina back to the SEC Championship matchup on Sunday, keeping its tournament run alive with a title on the line.
Joyce Edwards sparks a 12-4 run as the Gamecocks pull away
Midway through the fourth quarter, South Carolina created its separation with a 12-4 run led by Joyce Edwards. That surge gave the Gamecocks a lead they didn’t give up again, providing the decisive stretch in a game that ended with a six-point margin.
Edwards was also part of a balanced scoring picture for South Carolina. Four Gamecocks reached double figures: Ta’Niya Latson scored 19 points, Edwards added 18, and Tessa Johnson finished with 11 to go with Raven Johnson’s 22.
On the other side, LSU got a team-high 24 points from MiLaysia Fulwiley, a former Gamecock who led the Tigers’ scoring in the loss.
Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks set for 3 p. m. ET SEC Championship game Sunday
With the semifinal win secured, dawn staley and South Carolina will face the winner of the other semifinal between No. 4 Texas and No. 24 Ole Miss. South Carolina will be aiming to claim its fourth straight SEC Tournament title.
The SEC Tournament championship game is scheduled to tip off at 3 p. m. Sunday (ET).
